Shavuot commemorated in Boca Raton

According to Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, senior rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue — a Modern Orthodox shul in western Boca Raton — the holiday of Shavuot corresponds with the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Goldberg said: "The holiday has been celebrated since the event itself took place. We don't simply commemorate a historic event of millennia ago, but we relive, reaccept and reaffirm our commitment to God's commandments each year."

Goldberg went on to explain the reasons for how Shavuot was commemorated at BRS this year. The commemoration included all night-study on the evening of Tuesday, June 3 into the morning of Wednesday, June 4, as well as events throughout the day on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5.

Goldberg said: "There is a tradition that on the year the Jewish people received the Torah at Mount Sinai, they overslept. We repair their mistake by staying up all night on the holiday studying Torah."

Goldberg said the theme of this year's all-night Torah study at BRS was "Unsolved Mysteries." In sessions organized by the shul, participants examined such topics as "Where are the Tablets of the Covenant Hidden Today?" "What Happened to the Ten Lost Tribes?" and "Did Noah's Flood Really Occur?"

Participants very much enjoyed the BRS all-night study.

According to Rabbi SImcha Freedman, of Boca Raton: "Shavuot may be the 'forgotten holiday' within the Jewish community, but not for the members of Boca Raton Synagogue. On the first night of the holiday, a number of Rabbinic scholars conducted classes throughout the night so as to demonstrate our love for God's word. Scores of men and women remained awake in order to demonstrate their devotion."

Freedman said the passion and zeal of the membership of Boca Raton Synagogue for Jewish learning and values is a direct result of the inspiration received from Goldberg and Assistant Rabbi Philip Moskowitz.

Freedman said: "Boca Raton Synagogue is a place dedicated to learning and spiritual growth. Rabbis Goldberg and Moskowitz teach, inspire and uplift the congregation. As a retired pulpit rabbi who served in that capacity for more than 35 years, I can fully appreciate the treasures we have at this synagogue."

The temple asked its members to think about big questions they had such as "What does it mean to be a good Jew?" "How should Judaism play a role in my life today?" and "What's the biggest question you have about God, Torah, Israel and yourself as a Jew?"

According to Rabbi Greg Weisman, the rabbis at Temple Beth El reviewed the submitted questions and decided to study the following two big questions: "What is the Jewish position on the after-life?" and "What makes Reform Judaism unique?"

"These are pretty much open-ended questions," Weisman commented. "We didn't endorse any one position. We just tried to get information out to our members so that they are more aware and can make their own decisions and judgments from a more informed position."

Added TBE member Brian Sindel, of Boynton Beach: "Shavuot study at TBE focused partly on the Jewish position on the after-life?" A discussion of Early Common Era writings ensued, i.e. "Gan Eden and Gehinnom (Gehenna)"; "Heaven and Hell" and "The Long Wait for the Messiah and Resurrection." The next big questions were: "What defines being a Reformed Jew?" "What is Jewish Ethics?" "What is Jewish Morality?" and "Is there a requirement for a belief in one God?"

Sindel loved the Shavuot study session at Temple Beth El and was very pleased to have participated.

Sindel concluded: "The evening was truly enlightening and afforded the opportunity for lively conversation and connection with members of the congregation and the greater Boca Raton community."